The Bible plainly shows that
the only way to obtain salvation is
through the Messiah and His
sacrifice. Under the terms and the
conditions of the new covenant, one
must be called by God, believe in
God, repent of sin, be baptized and
have hands laid on them to received
the Holy Spirit in order to be saved.
The simple truth is that the majority
of people past and present have not
had sufficient knowledge to the
understanding of the creator God of
Israel, His heavenly Father or His
plans for human beings. However,
how will people who never heard of
Christ or His sacrifice obtain
salvation?
Apostle Peter addressing the
Sanhedrin said, "the people of Israel
that by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, who ye crucified, who
God raised from the dead, even by
Him doth this man stand here before
you whole. This is the stone which
was set at naught of you builders,
which is come the head of the
corner. Neither is there salvation in
any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among
men, whereby we must be saved"
(Acts 4:10-12). Despite the
tremendous missionary and
evangelistic efforts of people, many
have never heard of Jesus the Christ.
Or maybe they have heard of Him
but they indeed do not know God's
plan for humanity. Even in this age,
there are billions of people who will
never hear the name of Jesus Christ
or understand His message before
He returns. In the book of John
chapter 6 we read, "No man can
come to Me except the Father who
hath sent Me draw him and I will
raise him up in the last day. It is
written in the prophets, and they
shall be all taught of God. Every
man therefore that hath heard, and
hath learned of the Father cometh
unto Me" (John 6:44-45).
STEPS TO SALVATION
We must believe in Christ.
"How then shall they call on Him in
who they have not believed? And
how shall they believe in Him of
whom they have not heard? And
how shall they hear without a
preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
Ministers can be sent to preach.
Ministers may have all the financial
support to travel around the world,
but remember and let us not forget
what the Christ says, "that no one is
able to come to Me unless the Father
who sent Me draws him"(John
6:44). Yes it is through God's
called righteous example, the gospel
will be observed and heard. But
will all accept our example? The
answer is simply No. Not everyone
will receive our living example.
What steps should be followed and
taken if called?
Step one;
We must believe in Christ as
mentioned earlier. "He that
believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned" (Mark 16:16).
Step two;
We must confess our sins.
If we confess our sins, be faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness"
(1 John 1:9). I have a very short
story to tell you. When in primary
level education, my parents signed
me up for a Catholic mission in the
St. Gabriel Primary School. The
condition of the school was that all
student were to attend morning
session at the Catholic Church. The
Priest would sit somewhere by the
corner and everyone was to go one
by one kneeling before him and
telling him every sin he or she has
done. The priest then would say
your sin has been forgiven.
However young I was, I refuse to go
to the priest and kneel before him
and do as he expected. I was sent
home to ask my father to come and
explain why I could not do what
others were doing. When my father
came, he said that in the Kenya
constitution there is freedom of
worship, therefore no one can be
forced to worship whatever others
are worshiping. My question is how
can we confess our sins and to who
can we confess our sins to?
In Apostle John brief letter
he said "Hereby know we that we
dwell in Him and He is in us
because He hath given us of His
spirit. And we have see and do
testify that the Father sent the Son to
be the savior of the world. Whoever
shall confess that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God, God dwelleth in him
and he in God" (1 John 4:13-15).
The Bible states clearly that it is
only Christ to whom we should
confess our sins to, not a priest or
church leader. I some time sit down
after work and think, if the second
coming of Christ could be today,
where would I be? Ask yourself this
question brethren, Where will you
be?
Step three;
One must repent and accept
Jesus Christ as their personal savior
before they can be baptized.
Baptism is the major key to
salvation. If we think again of Mark
16:16, "He that Believeth and is
baptized." Not only believing as
said before, but believing and be
baptized. Notice, "Then Peter said
unto them, repent and be baptized
everyone of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sin
and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit" (Act 2:38). Let us
repent and be baptized in order to
receive the Holy Spirit.
Step four;
A person has to have hands
layed on for the recieving of God's
Holy Spirit "Now when the apostles
which were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the Word of
God, they sent unto them Peter and
John: Who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they
might receive the Holy Spirit: For
as yet he was fallen upon none of
them: only they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid
they their hands on them, and they
received the Holy Spirit" (Acts
8:14-17).
Step five;
Obey God. We too must
obey God. Remember if the son
does not obey the father, do you
think the father will be happy with
him? The answer is no. If the son
obeys the Father, then the father will
be happy with him. The same way if
we obey God, He will be happy
with us and thus will receive
salvation through Him. Act 5:32
tell us, "And we are His witness of
these things, and so is also the Holy
Spirit who God hath given to them
that obey Him. For the Son of man
is come to seek and to save that
which was lost" (Lk 19:10).
Brethren, by your good
example, try and encourage others to
this saving light. "The said Jesus to
them again, peace be unto you, as
My Father hath sent Me, even so
send I you" (Jn 20:21).
Bradox Ochieng; Kenya